Aussie bullying victim awarded $590,000

An ex-student of Farrer Agricultural High School in NSW has been awarded $590,250 after 'consistent' bullying. Photo / cgoodwin

SYDNEY - A man has been awarded nearly half a million dollars in damages for the "consistent and systemic bullying" he endured while attending high school in Tamworth in the 1990s.

David Gregory sued the state of NSW after suffering years of humiliation and bullying while attending Farrer Agricultural High School in the state's north.

He told a civil hearing in the NSW Supreme Court he was abused by older students, including being struck with a broom, having his knuckles rapped with a steel ruler and being called "sterile", "faggot", "paedophile" and "Nazi".

Repeated complaints to staff were ignored, he said.

He said the bullying led to behavioural problems such as obsessive compulsive disorder, symptoms of depression and agoraphobia - a fear of unfamiliar places which can lead to panic attacks.

Justice Elizabeth Fullerton handed down a 112-page judgement awarding Mr Gregory A$468,736 (NZ$590,250) for economic losses and future loss of earnings.

Future therapeutic costs must also be agreed upon, she said.

"A great deal of thought has gone into the decision that I have come to. I wish you well for the future," Justice Fullerton said to Mr Gregory after handing down her judgement.

He replied: "Thank you".

- AAP